TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Elections

Discussion

May 19, 2010

Republicans outpace opponents in Knox

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — By Becky Manley / Staff Writer

Incumbent Republicans in three key Knox County races far outpaced their opposition in Tuesday’s primary election.

According to unofficial election results, Judge-Executive J.M. Hall, Clerk Mike Corey and Sheriff John Pickard enjoyed comfortable margins over their challengers. 

Hall took 3,435 votes over challengers Mike Eversole with 1,091 votes, Don “Doc” Gray with 625 votes and Joe Woolum with 313 votes.

When asked what he thought gave him an edge in the election, Hall, who is seeking a second term, pointed to the county’s financial stability, talking about how the county pays off expenses as they are incurred and the reopening of the county’s jail.

In the November general election, Hall will face Democratic challenger Doyle Gibson, who took 1,072 votes over fellow Democrats Michael Warren, who had 802 votes, and Ford Collett, who had 141 votes.

“I knew it was going to be a race from the start,” Gibson said about Warren’s campaign.

When asked if he feels confident about his chances in the fall election, Gibson — who is currently a Knox County magistrate — talked about Knox voters and their historical resistance to re-electing incumbent judge-executives.

Corey, who took 4,013 votes over challenger Tip Smith’s 1,433 votes, admitted he was concerned about the primary since he believed he may not have campaigned enough due to the duties of his office.

“This is a very demanding job,” Corey said.

Pickard took 4,421 votes over opponent Gary “Hammer” Jackson who had 946 votes.

Based on what he heard from members of the community, Pickard said he felt confident about what Tuesday’s outcome would be.

Pickard said he believes the community appreciates the priority he places on putting extra patrols on the county’s roads despite his department’s lack of manpower.

In the fall election, Pickard will face Democrat Sherman Lawson, who took 1,393 votes in the primary over Brian Senters’ 588.

Lawson said he was confident about his chances in the primary and he expects a close race against Pickard in November.

All of the winners said their challengers waged good, clean campaigns and most said they are ready to begin their efforts for the fall election.

“We’re going to start in the morning campaigning for the fall,” Hall said.

Text Only
Elections
  • Marie Rader wins 89th Rep. District Primary

    Republican Marie Rader won the primary election for the 89th District House of Representatives.

    May 23, 2012

  • 0523 Kay Schwartz.jpg Hammons unseats Moses

    Whitley Countians have chosen Bob Hammons as their new county attorney, according to unofficial election results.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Barton wins another circuit court clerk term

    Whitley County voters went with experience when it came to electing the next circuit court clerk, choosing incumbent Gary Barton, according to unofficial election results.

    May 23, 2012

  • Bunch victor in 82nd House District

    For incumbent State Representative Regina Petrey Bunch, the votes came in bunches Tuesday night.

    May 23, 2012

  • Voter turnout higher than expected

    The election day ran fairly smooth in Whitley, with the exception of several precincts losing power briefly and a few complaints regarding signs being too close to polling places.

    May 23, 2012

  • Kenneth S. Stepp to face Hal Rogers in fall

    Two Democrats, Kenneth S. Stepp, of Clay County, and Micheal Ackerman, of Rowan County, running for the Fifth Congressional District ran a heads-together race in the 30-county district.

    May 23, 2012

  • Bunch bests opponent in state representative race

    According to unofficial election results from Laurel and Whitley counties, incumbent State Rep. Regina Petrey Bunch (R-82nd District) appears to have taken more votes than challenger James Larry Goins in Tuesday's primary election.
    Bunch took a total of 3,664 votes between the two counties while Goins had 1,078.

    May 22, 2012

  • Primary Election Update

    As election day gets underway, clerks and elections boards are busy counting absentee ballots and gearing up for the final results that will pour in after the polls close at 6 p.m. this evening.

    May 22, 2012

  • 0522 Larry Goins Wayne Brooks Angie Bowling.jpg State Rep. Candidate Larry Goins speaks to UNITE

    A candidate for State Representative in the 82nd District told Whitley County UNITE Coalition members Monday he would like to see tougher laws for those using and selling drugs. In addition, Larry Goins, of Williamsburg, said current prosecution and rehabilitation methods need to be looked at as well.

    May 22, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0517 Don Moses.jpg Three seek county attorney seat in Whitley

    Incumbent Don Moses, former county attorney Bob Hammons and newcomer Graham Trimble have all cast their names into the ballot box in the hopes of winning on May 22.

    May 17, 2012 3 Photos